Tired of taking allergy shots (SCIT)?

Are you tired of taking allergy shots (SCIT)?

Allergy drops are an alternative to allergy shots . Both treatments are options for treating allergies at their cause. While allergy shots involve injecting small doses of allergen under your skin with a needle, allergy drops are taken by mouth. Both are forms of allergen immunotherapy. Allergen immunotherapy refers to repeatedly exposing you to small doses of something you’re allergic to (allergen) in order to make you less sensitive to it. When the allergen is given to you by placing it under your tongue, it’s called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) or “allergy drops”. Unlike antihistamines and other medications that treat allergy symptoms, immunotherapy treats the condition itself.

When your body is exposed to a moderate to large amount of something you’re allergic to, your immune system tries to get rid of it. This causes the familiar symptoms of allergic rhinitis, like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. On the other hand, repeated exposure to small but increasing doses of allergen desensitizes your immune system. Eventually, your body becomes tolerant of the allergen, so you get fewer or less severe symptoms when exposed to larger amounts of it.

The benefits of allergy drops when compared to allergy shots:

  • no needles or injections
  • can be taken at home
  • fewer side effects including potentially lower risk of anaphylaxis
  • may be less expensive because taken at home
  • more acceptable to children
  • takes less time overall

Allergy drops may be an excellent alternative to allergy shots for you if you don’t like shots or don’t have time for frequent visits to the doctor’s office.

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